Drum Bypass Control

ABSTRACT

A seal for a tub/drum assembly has a ring body to secure the seal to the tub/drum assembly. An arm extends from the ring body. The arm reduces a gap between the tub and drum. A mass at an end of the arm. The mass enables the arm to deflect at high drum rotational speeds increasing the gap between the tub and drum during high rotational speed of the drum. Alternatively, the arm is of a material prohibiting substantial deflection so that the gap is maintained at all speeds between the tub and drum without the arm contacting the drum creating high resistance in an airflow path.

FIELD

The present disclosure relates to household appliances and, more particularly, to combination washer/dryer units that control the processed air around the drum.

BACKGROUND

In combination washer/dryer units, it is important to reduce the amount of time required to dry clothes during the drying cycle. In order to reduce the drying time, it is possible to increase the interaction of hot air with wet clothes within the drum. However, without proper air volume, this has a negative impact on the clothes within the drum. Thus, it is desirable to increase the airflow through the drum during the drying cycle and, if desired, increase the interaction of hot air with clothes. Preferably, it is desirable to increase the airflow through the drum.

Accordingly, it is an object of the present disclosure to increase the airflow through the drum during the drying cycle. The present disclosure provides sealing between the drum and tub to increase the airflow into the drum while decreasing the airflow about the drum. The present disclosure provides a seal between the tub and drum that forces air to enter into the drum, increasing the airflow in the drum, which, in turn, reduces the drying time of the appliance.

SUMMARY

According to a first embodiment of the disclosure, a seal for a tub/drum assembly comprises a ring body to secure to the tub/drum assembly. An arm extends from the ring body that reduces the gap between the tub and drum. A mass is at the end of the arm to enable the arm to deflect at high drum speed increasing the gap between the tub and drum during the washing cycle. The arm includes a chamber to retain the mass inside the chamber. The mass can be a fluid, metal or the like. A pocket is positioned on the ring to receive a flange of the drum to enhance securement of the ring to the drum. A composite material may be positioned on the other part of the tub/drum assembly opposing the mass to enable contact of the mass while preventing damage to the seal.

According to a second embodiment of the disclosure, a seal for a tub/drum assembly comprises a ring body for securing to the tub/drum assembly. An arm extends from the ring body to reduce the gap between the tub and drum. The arm is of a material prohibiting substantial deflection of the arm so that the gap is maintained, at all rotational speeds of the drum, between the tub and the drum without the arm contacting the drum. This creates high resistance in an airflow path around the drum. The ring is secured to the tub and the arm may include a seal with a lip or wiper extending towards the drum. An additional seal may be positioned on the drum adjacent to the arm. The seal may include a lip extending towards the arm.

Accordingly to a third aspect of the disclosure, a tub/drum assembly for a combo washer/dryer comprises a tub for receiving a drum rotatable within the tub. A seal for the tub/drum assembly comprises a ring body secured to the drum. An arm extends from the ring body that reduces the gap between the tub and drum. A mass is at the end of the arm to enable the arm to deflect at high drum speed increasing the gap between the tub and drum during the washing cycle. The arm includes a chamber to retain the mass inside the chamber. The mass can be a fluid, metal or the like. A pocket is positioned on the ring to receive a flange of the drum to enhance securement of the ring to the drum. A composite material may be positioned on the other part of the tub/drum assembly opposing the mass to enable contact of the mass while preventing damage to the seal.

Accordingly to a fourth aspect of the disclosure, a tub/drum assembly for a combo washer/dryer comprises a tub for receiving a drum rotatable within the tub. A seal for the tub/drum assembly comprises a ring body to secure to the tub. An arm extends from the ring body that reduces the gap between the tub and drum. The arm is of a material prohibiting substantial deflection of the arm so that the gap is maintained, at all rotational speeds of the drum, between the tub and the drum without the arm contacting the drum. This creates high resistance in an airflow path around the drum. The ring is secured to the tub and the arm may include a seal with a lip or wiper extending towards the drum. An additional seal may be positioned on the drum adjacent to the arm. The seal may include a lip extending towards the arm.

Further areas of applicability will become apparent from the description provided herein. The description and specific examples in this summary are intended for purposes of illustration only and are not intended to limit the scope of the present disclosure.

DRAWINGS

The drawings described herein are for illustrative purposes only of selected embodiments and not all possible implementations, and are not intended to limit the scope of the present disclosure.

FIG. 1 is a cross-section view of a tub/drum assembly.

FIG. 2 is an enlarged cross-section of FIG. 1 .

FIG. 3 is a cross-section view of the seal for the assembly.

FIG. 4 is a second embodiment of a seal.

FIG. 5 is a cross-section view of an additional embodiment of the seal.

FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view of an additional embodiment of the seal.

FIG. 7 is a cross-sectional view of the tub and drum with a seal positioned on the drum.

FIG. 8 is a cross-sectional view of the tub and drum assembly with a seal member.

FIG. 9 is cross-sectional view of a second embodiment.

FIG. 10A-10C are cross-sectional views of insert seals for the flange.

FIG. 11 is a cross-sectional view of an additional embodiment of the disclosure.

FIG. 12 is a cross-sectional view of another embodiment of the disclosure.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Turning to the figures, a combination washer/dryer tub/drum assembly is illustrated and designated with the reference numeral 10. The tub/drum assembly 10 is positioned inside of a housing unit (not shown) to provide a washer/dryer combo unit. The tub/drum assembly 10 includes a drum 12 and a tub 14. The drum 12 is rotatably positioned within the tub 14. An axial gap 16 is formed between the drum 12 and tub 14. The drum end 18 may include a crimped flange of the like connecting the base 17 of the drum with the cylindrical wall 19.

A seal 20 is positioned onto the end 18 of the drum, around the crimped flange, to close the gap 16 between the tub 14 and drum 12. The seal 20 controls the amount of airflow around the drum 12 to enable the maximum amount of air to enter into the drum 12 during the drying cycle.

The seal 20 includes a ring 22 that is positioned around and secured to the drum 12. Also, a securement portion 24 wraps around the crimped flange end 18 to enhance the retention of the seal 20 onto the drum 12. The retention portion 24 includes a pocket 26 that enables the flange drum end 18 to be positioned inside of the retention portion 24.

An arm 28 extends from the ring 22 to monitor the size of the air passage gap 16 between the drum 12 and tub 14. The arm 28 includes a mass 30 at its terminal end to enable movement of the arm 28 and mass 30 during rotation of the drum 12. During the washing cycle, the drum 12 may rotate at 400 RPM or greater. During this time, the arm 28 unfolds or deflects to enable the gap 16 to become larger between the drum 12 and tub 14. This enables the air and water between the drum 12 and tub 14 to exit.

During the spin cycle and drying cycle, the drum 12 spins at about 50-55 RPM. During this rotation speed, the arm 28 does not unfold or deflect and maintains the axial gap 16 between the drum 12 and the tub 14. Thus, during the drying cycle, the air between the drum 12 and tub 14 is forced into the drum 12 to enhance the drying of the clothes within the drum 12.

Due to the extension, deflection or unfolding of the arm 28 and mass 30, during the washing cycles, the arm 28 or mass 30 may contact the tub 14. Thus, a coating or part 32 is positioned onto the tub 14 to prevent the seal from being damaged or torn during rotation of the drum 12. The coating or part 32 is generally manufactured from a compatible material and is generally locally positioned on the tub 14 so that it is only present where the seal 20 rubs against the tub 14.

Turning to FIGS. 4-6 , additional seals 20 are illustrated. Thus, the same numerals are utilized to identify the same parts. In FIG. 4 , the seal 20 includes a ring portion 22 with a securement portion 24. The arm 28′ extends in a downward fashion. The mass 30 is at the terminus of the arm.

In FIGS. 5 and 6 , the arm 28′ includes a chamber 40 to receive a fluid in FIG. 5 and a metal mass in FIG. 6 . Thus, the mass 30 can be altered to provide the desired movement of the arm 28′ and mass 30 during the rotation of the drum 12. Also, a wiper 42 may extend from the chamber 40 toward the tub 14.

Turning to FIG. 8 , an additional embodiment of the disclosure is shown. Here, in FIG. 8 , the drum 12 and tub 14 are illustrated with a radial gap 50 between the drum 12 and tub 14. The radial gap 50 is closed to control the amount of air that exits around the drum as in the previous embodiment.

A seal 60 includes a ring portion 62 secured to the tub 14. An arm 64 extends from the ring portion 62 into the radial gap 50. The arm 62 may include a lip 66 that extends transverse to the arm 64, toward the drum 12, to provide an additional member to control the air through the radial gap 50. The seal 60 may be made of a metal or resin material that provides a desired amount of rigidity. The rigidity enables the seal to provide a high resistance in the airflow path while maintaining the distance and the gap between the drum 12 and the arm 62. Thus, a constant gap is created to provide airflow between the drum 12 and tub 14.

Turning to FIG. 9 , an additional embodiment is shown. Here, the arm 64 does not include the lip 66. This enables an attached sealing member 70 to be secured to the arm 66. The sealing member 70 generally includes a retention portion 72 to secure the sealing member with the arm 64. Also, the sealing member 70 includes a wiper 74 that extends from the retention portion 72 toward the drum 12. The wiper 74 is positioned at a desired distance away from the drum 12 so that a constant gap is formed between the drum 12 and sealing member 70 to enable control of the airflow exiting the gap.

FIG. 10B illustrates another sealing member 70 that includes a curved wiper 76. It is positioned to form a constant gap between the drum 12 and the sealing wiper 76. FIG. 10C illustrates a sealing member 70 with a bulb 78. The bulb 78 extends toward the drum 12 to form a constant gap between the bulb 12 and the drum as previously mentioned.

Turning to FIG. 11 , an additional embodiment is illustrated. Here, the drum includes a groove seal 80 positioned peripherally above the external surface of the drum 12. The groove seal 80 may have one or two extending members 82 that provide a labyrinth seal when the sealing member 70 is attached to the arm 66. Thus, the gap between the tub 12 and drum 14 can be further modified to control the airflow exiting between the drum 12 and tub 14.

FIG. 12 shows an additional embodiment of the seal 60. Here, the arm 66 includes multiple wipers 90 while the groove seal 80 includes multiple grooves and arms 94, 96 to receive the wipers 90 from the arm 66. Thus, this provides a labyrinth seal to control the airflow through the gap between the drum 12 and tub 14.

The foregoing description of the embodiments has been provided for purposes of illustration and description. It is not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the disclosure. Individual elements or features of a particular embodiment are generally not limited to that particular embodiment, but, where applicable, are interchangeable and can be used in a selected embodiment, even if not specifically shown or described. The same may also be varied in many ways. Such variations are not to be regarded as a departure from the disclosure, and all such modifications are intended to be included within the scope of the disclosure. 

What is claimed is:
 1. A seal for a tub/drum assembly comprising: a ring body for securing to the tub/drum assembly; an arm extending from the ring body, the arm reducing a gap between the tub and drum; a mass at an end of the arm, the mass enabling the arm to deflect or extend at high drum rotational speeds increasing the gap between the tub and drum during desired rotational speeds of the drum.
 2. The seal for a tub/drum assembly according to claim 1, where the arm includes a chamber for retaining the mass inside the chamber.
 3. The seal for a tub/drum assembly according to claim 2, wherein the mass can be a fluid, metal or the like.
 4. The seal for a tub/drum assembly according to claim 1, further comprising a pocket to receive an end of the drum for enhancing securement to the drum.
 5. The seal for a tub/drum assembly according to claim 1, further comprising a composite material on the other part of the tub and drum assembly to enable contact of the mass or arm to prevent seal damage.
 6. A seal for a tub/drum assembly comprising: a ring body for securing to the tub/drum assembly; an arm extending from the ring body, the arm reducing a gap between the tub and drum; the arm reducing a gap between the tub and drum, the arm being of a material prohibiting substantial deflection so that the gap is maintained at all speeds between the tub and drum without the arm contacting the drum creating high resistance in an airflow path.
 7. The seal for a tub/drum assembly according to claim 6, wherein the ring is secured to the tub.
 8. The seal for a tub/drum assembly according to claim 7, wherein the arm includes a seal with a lip extending towards the drum.
 9. The seal for a tub/drum assembly according to claim 7, further comprising a seal on the drum adjacent the arm.
 10. The seal for a tub/drum assembly according to claim 9, wherein the seal includes a lip extending towards the arm.
 11. A tub/drum assembly for a combination washer/dryer comprising: a tub for receiving a drum; a drum rotatable inside the tub; a ring body for securing to the drum; an arm extending from the ring body, the arm reducing a gap between the tub and drum; a mass at an end of the arm, the mass enabling the arm to deflect at high drum rotational speeds increasing the gap between the tub and drum during the desired rotational speeds of the drum.
 12. The tub/drum assembly for a combination washer/dryer according to claim 11, wherein where the arm includes a chamber for retaining the mass inside the chamber and wherein the mass can be a fluid, metal or the like.
 13. The tub/drum assembly for a combination washer/dryer according to claim 11, further comprising a pocket to receive an end of the drum for enhancing securement to the drum.
 14. The tub/drum assembly for a combination washer/dryer according to claim 11, further comprising a composite material on the tub for enabling contact of the mass or arm to prevent seal damage.
 15. A tub/drum assembly for a combination washer/dryer comprising: a tub for receiving a drum; a drum rotatable inside the tub; a ring body for securing to the tub; an arm extending from the ring body, the arm reducing a gap between the tub and drum; the arm being of a material prohibiting substantial deflection so that the gap is maintained at all speeds between the tub and drum without the arm contacting the drum creating high resistance in an airflow path.
 16. The tub/drum assembly for a combination washer/dryer according to claim 15, wherein the arm includes a seal with a lip extending towards the drum.
 17. The tub/drum assembly for a combination washer/dryer according to claim 15, further comprising a seal on the drum adjacent the arm.
 18. The tub/drum assembly for a combination washer/dryer according to claim 17, wherein the seal includes a lip extending towards the arm.
 19. A combination washer/dryer unit including the tub and drum assembly according to claim
 11. 20. A combination washer/dryer including the tub and drum assembly according to claim
 15. 